We will purchase valuable records by proxy in Japan！

Japanese city pop music is receiving global recognition. City pop is a genre that originated in Japan during the 1970s to 1980s, influenced by jazz and soul, and is currently experiencing a surge in popularity all over the world. Consequently, many international visitors to Japan are seeking out city pop records at local record stores. However, city pop is not the sole draw of Japanese records. This article outlines the appeal of records distributed in Japan and highlights the value of our expertise in locating specific records.

Appeal of records distributed in Japan

Better sound than original versions

Japanese record companies were concerned about sound quality and pressed records in small batches. This rule was based on scientific evidence that each time a record was pressed, the sound quality deteriorated slightly.
In addition, Japanese record makers had manufactured the records from the materials that had never been used, compared to Western record makers that had manufactured records from recycled materials.Therefore,Japanese records are characterized by less noise and higher sound quality than the manufacturing process and raw materials.

Records are in good condition

Japanese used records are characterized by their good condition. This is due to the careful handling and storage methods of Japanese music lovers. Many Japanese collectors treat their records with care and regularly clean them with cleaning agents.
It is also common for records to be stored in a humidity-controlled environment. This makes used Japanese records a treasure trove for record collectors around the world.

There are Japan-only vinyl records

One of the most notable features of the Japanese record market is the existence of Japan Limited Editions. These are rare items that are hard to find outside of Japan and are coveted by collectors. The Japan-only editions sometimes include additional songs or remixed versions of songs that were not included on the original album. For example, the Beatles’ Japan-only Beatles No. 5 album includes a German-language version of “She loves you. This uniqueness makes the Japanese record market unique and attractive.

Japanese versions have OBI

In discussing the appeal of Japanese vinyl records, one must not forget the obi. An obi is a long, thin piece of paper wrapped around a record jacket and is a symbol of Japanese music culture. The obi contains a Japanese translation of the album title, a list of songs included, and an introduction by the artist, all in Japanese. A detailed description of each song are written in the OBI, helping Japanese fans to better understand the music. The obi is more than just an ornament; it is an important bridge between Japanese music fans and the artist.

The reason why you should hire us to find records

Our service allows you to purchase records from record stores that do not offer online shopping. These stores often carry rare or hard-to-find items that are not readily available online. Many established record stores have not yet embraced the digital market, despite their extensive inventory and expertise. We source directly from such record stores and purchase on your behalf. For example, we once purchased a rare Tatsuro Yamashita compilation from a small record store far from Tokyo and delivered it to an overseas collector. In this way, we connect our customers with rare records across physical distance and language barriers.

We purchase valuable records on your behalf

Japanese records are currently popular all over the world.
The reasons for this are related not only to City Pop, but also to sound quality, good used condition, and the existence of Japanese limited editions and obis. If you would like rare Japanese records today, please contact us. We will search for them for you.